Friday, October 27, 2017

Business Spotlight: Jordan Bay Dog Daycare by Michelle Libby

Many
people consider their pets as family. Leaving a pet home alone while the owner
is at work, makes them lonely and sad. The best alternative to a day of napping
at home is to take him or her to Jordan Bay Dog Daycare in Raymond, just past
the turn-off for Route 85, on the way to Bridgton.

Owner
Chris Jordan is a certified dog trainer, who has worked with all breeds and temperaments.
“I worked at a dog daycare and thought we’d start doing it on our own,” said
Chris. Jordan Bay Dog Daycare opened a year ago and they have been filling a
need in the area ever since.

“The
need is here. A lot of places can be full,” said Chris’s mother Nancy Jordan, who
works in the day care most days.

The
space is broken up into two indoor rooms and a 4,000-square foot outside play
area that is made of astro turf so dogs don’t become dirty and don’t dig.

The
play area has ramps, tables, tires, obstacles, and plenty of toys to keep them
stimulated both mentally and physically. Each night the center is cleaned from
top to bottom.

“We are
always with them,” said Nancy. The staff can give medication if needed and food
can be brought in for lunch, but it is not provided. Nancy, Chris and Kayleigh
Jordan, who also works at the daycare, are all pet CPR certified.

Jordan
Bay will also take in dogs that have been kicked out of other dog daycare
centers often giving them more chances and individual training by Chris. “Every
dog you learn something new from,” said Chris. “It’s different every day.”

“We
don’t put the dogs in crates unless the owners ask us to,” said Kayleigh. “We
put a lot of effort into this place. We care about the dogs.”

While
at daycare, the dogs work on socialization as well as basic commands like sit,
stay and wait. “We focus on socialization. It’s a safe environment,” said
Chris. There is no minimum age for the dogs, but they must have had all the
required vaccines and must be spayed or neutered.

Clients
bring their dogs from Sebago, Portland and surrounding areas, but mostly from
Windham and Raymond. They also have a lot of vacationers drop off their dogs
for the day.

The
daycare accepts dogs on a drop-in basis if the dogs are brought between 6:30
a.m. and 10 a.m. The mornings are busy and bringing in dogs after 10 a.m. can
disrupt the balance the dogs have achieved between each other. The dogs that
have already arrived are beginning to settle in and the new dog is excited to
be there, causing a possible disturbance.

On
average, the daycare has 18 dogs each day but can house up to 25 dogs per day
safely. During the summer months the daycare fills up faster in which case
calling ahead to schedule the days you want is never a bad idea. They do not do
overnight care.

There
is a full day price and a half day price. The prices are less than Portland
daycares, said Nancy. They also offer a 10 percent Veteran and senior citizen
discount.

Owner Chris, his girlfriend Kayley and one of the many dogs they love

“The
dogs go home really tired. Some don’t want to go. We’ve had owners drag some
dogs out,” said Kayleigh. The daycare is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are not open on weekends. Someone is with
the dogs all day and most of the time there are two people with the dogs.

Jordan
Bay Dog Daycare hopes to offer grooming services soon for their regular clients
and possibly others, including baths and nail clipping. Chris also has plans to
offer training classes for puppies in January. The daycare expects to be hiring
part-time help in the near future. They also are adding cameras, so owners can
watch their dogs enjoying themselves at daycare.

“We do
post a lot of photos and videos on Facebook,” said Chris.

For
more information on Jordan Bay Dog Daycare, visit them on Facebook or call
207-655-6520.